Yahoo! Games

Steve Alexander

Waiver Wired

Wired: Schedule Breakdown

This week’s Waiver Wired will take a look at each team’s remaining schedule and the possible free agent pickups that exist for each of them. And at the end of the column, be sure to read the notes about the remaining NBA schedule over the last nine weeks of the season. Depending on your league, trading Kevin Durant for LeBron James could win you a championship, if you can get the other owner to play along. Also keep in mind that ESPN combined Weeks 16 and 17 in most leagues, meaning there are fewer scoring periods in those leagues, and that my "Week 17" is actually just part 2 of their "Week 16."

The Hawks have a solid schedule remaining, but the only guys who may be available in your league and worth picking up are Kyle Korver and Devin Harris. Despite coming off the bench, Korver still looks like a great player to own, while I just don’t trust Harris. If Josh Smith is actually traded, Anthony Tolliver and Ivan Johnson might be worth a look.

The Nets’ schedule is pretty awful with just two four-game weeks left after this week’s games. Deron Williams’ ankle is dinged up and if he misses more time, C.J. Watson will be worth a look. Kris Humphries could be worth a pickup if he’s traded into a good situation, while I still think Gerald Wallace is worth holding if he was dropped in your league. Reggie Evans is a solid option for rebounds, but tough to own given his lack of offense. Andray Blatche is worth keeping an eye on, but still isn’t worth owning in most leagues.

Charlotte – 4-3-4-3-4-3-4-3-2 = 30

The Bobcats have a nice remaining schedule and Byron Mullens remains a must-own player in all formats. Just beware that if they trade for another power forward, Mullens’ minutes could take a hit. Gerald Henderson is a nice pickup if available in your league, while Bismack Biyombo is also worth a look given his strong play of late. Just don’t expect much offense out of the big man.

Chicago – 4-4-3-2-4-3-4-4-2 = 30

I have been against owning/holding Derrick Rose all season, and last week’s comments about possibly sitting out the entire season do nothing to improve my pessimistic view. Despite an eventual return of underwhelming Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson remains a must-own player the rest of the way, while Taj Gibson is worth a serious look, especially with Joakim Noah’s foot bothering him so much. Richard Hamilton is playing better these days and Marco Belinelli is healthy again, making Jimmy Butler pretty useless in fantasy.

Cleveland – 3-3-4-3-3-3-4-4-2 = 29

Cleveland’s schedule is pretty lame, but Dion Waiters, Alonzo Gee and Tyler Zeller are all guys you should be looking at on the wire. Waiters is a must-own player, while Zeller’s inconsistency has been tough to live with. Anderson Varejao is out for the season.

Dallas – 3-4-3-4-4-3-4-3-2 = 30

Darren Collison’s value would take a hit if the Mavs trade for a point guard, but is still worth owning across the board for now. The same goes for Shawn Marion, who has looked good after an early mid-season slump, while Vince Carter is also worth a close look as he continues to play well despite being an old man. Elton Brand and Chris Kaman could easily turn it on and get going at any time in the remaining nine weeks, but Kaman has been out with a concussion and Brand hasn’t been playing enough to warrant owning in most leagues.

Denver – 3-3-4-3-4-3-3-3-2 = 28

Andre Miller is always worth a look, but inconsistency will be his middle name with Ty Lawson playing at such a high level. Corey Brewer and Wilson Chandler are always worth a look, but will also be inconsistent as long as Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala are healthy, although that wasn’t the case in the final games just before the break. I’m guessing Gallo and Iguodala will be ready to go this week. JaVale McGee is another guy always worth a look for his shot blocking, but his minutes and production have been pretty sketchy under George Karl. Kosta Koufos is worth a look as the starting center, while Kenneth Faried is a must-own player. If something happens to Chandler’s hip or Brewer goes down, Jordan Hamilton might become relevant at some point.

The Warriors play four times in each of the next four weeks, and then finish out with 3-game weeks to end the season, meaning they’re playoff schedule is weak. Jarrett Jack is playing well enough off the bench to be owned in all leagues, while Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry are worth a look in many. Just don’t plan on being able to use any of them in the playoffs with all those three-game weeks. If you can trade Stephen Curry for Carmelo Anthony, it makes sense.

This week’s Waiver Wired will take a look at each team’s remaining schedule and the possible free agent pickups that exist for each of them. And at the end of the column, be sure to read the notes about the remaining NBA schedule over the last nine weeks of the season. Depending on your league, trading Kevin Durant for LeBron James could win you a championship, if you can get the other owner to play along. Also keep in mind that ESPN combined Weeks 16 and 17 in most leagues, meaning there are fewer scoring periods in those leagues, and that my "Week 17" is actually just part 2 of their "Week 16."

The Hawks have a solid schedule remaining, but the only guys who may be available in your league and worth picking up are Kyle Korver and Devin Harris. Despite coming off the bench, Korver still looks like a great player to own, while I just don’t trust Harris. If Josh Smith is actually traded, Anthony Tolliver and Ivan Johnson might be worth a look.

The Nets’ schedule is pretty awful with just two four-game weeks left after this week’s games. Deron Williams’ ankle is dinged up and if he misses more time, C.J. Watson will be worth a look. Kris Humphries could be worth a pickup if he’s traded into a good situation, while I still think Gerald Wallace is worth holding if he was dropped in your league. Reggie Evans is a solid option for rebounds, but tough to own given his lack of offense. Andray Blatche is worth keeping an eye on, but still isn’t worth owning in most leagues.

Charlotte – 4-3-4-3-4-3-4-3-2 = 30

The Bobcats have a nice remaining schedule and Byron Mullens remains a must-own player in all formats. Just beware that if they trade for another power forward, Mullens’ minutes could take a hit. Gerald Henderson is a nice pickup if available in your league, while Bismack Biyombo is also worth a look given his strong play of late. Just don’t expect much offense out of the big man.

Chicago – 4-4-3-2-4-3-4-4-2 = 30

I have been against owning/holding Derrick Rose all season, and last week’s comments about possibly sitting out the entire season do nothing to improve my pessimistic view. Despite an eventual return of underwhelming Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson remains a must-own player the rest of the way, while Taj Gibson is worth a serious look, especially with Joakim Noah’s foot bothering him so much. Richard Hamilton is playing better these days and Marco Belinelli is healthy again, making Jimmy Butler pretty useless in fantasy.

Cleveland – 3-3-4-3-3-3-4-4-2 = 29

Cleveland’s schedule is pretty lame, but Dion Waiters, Alonzo Gee and Tyler Zeller are all guys you should be looking at on the wire. Waiters is a must-own player, while Zeller’s inconsistency has been tough to live with. Anderson Varejao is out for the season.

Dallas – 3-4-3-4-4-3-4-3-2 = 30

Darren Collison’s value would take a hit if the Mavs trade for a point guard, but is still worth owning across the board for now. The same goes for Shawn Marion, who has looked good after an early mid-season slump, while Vince Carter is also worth a close look as he continues to play well despite being an old man. Elton Brand and Chris Kaman could easily turn it on and get going at any time in the remaining nine weeks, but Kaman has been out with a concussion and Brand hasn’t been playing enough to warrant owning in most leagues.

Denver – 3-3-4-3-4-3-3-3-2 = 28

Andre Miller is always worth a look, but inconsistency will be his middle name with Ty Lawson playing at such a high level. Corey Brewer and Wilson Chandler are always worth a look, but will also be inconsistent as long as Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala are healthy, although that wasn’t the case in the final games just before the break. I’m guessing Gallo and Iguodala will be ready to go this week. JaVale McGee is another guy always worth a look for his shot blocking, but his minutes and production have been pretty sketchy under George Karl. Kosta Koufos is worth a look as the starting center, while Kenneth Faried is a must-own player. If something happens to Chandler’s hip or Brewer goes down, Jordan Hamilton might become relevant at some point.

The Warriors play four times in each of the next four weeks, and then finish out with 3-game weeks to end the season, meaning they’re playoff schedule is weak. Jarrett Jack is playing well enough off the bench to be owned in all leagues, while Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry are worth a look in many. Just don’t plan on being able to use any of them in the playoffs with all those three-game weeks. If you can trade Stephen Curry for Carmelo Anthony, it makes sense.

Eric Bledsoe is probably worth holding through the trade deadline in case he’s set free (Boston would be ideal), but after that, the only thing he’ll be good for is Chris Paul insurance. Chauncey Billups finished in a flurry just before the All-Star break and I actually picked him up in a couple leagues, but I seriously doubt he stays as hot as he was prior to the break. Caron Butler is back and will hurt the value of Matt Barnes, and while Barnes is one of those guys who can get hot again at any time. He is no longer a must-start player. The Clippers schedule is pretty brutal in the playoffs and they have two two-game weeks left, including the one that starts on Tuesday. I’m still good with holding DeAndre Jordan, even though he’s not exactly having anything resembling a breakout season. Lamar Odom is another guy I’d keep an eye on going forward, but is far from a must-own player right now. Their playoff schedule isn’t great, nor are the two two-game weeks. Think about upgrading by trading Chris Paul or Blake Griffin in playoff leagues.

L.A. Lakers – 3-3-4-4-2-4-3-4-1 = 28

The Lakers have been a disaster and Kobe Bryant’s confusion about whether he’s a dominant scorer or dominant point guard has made his owners a little uneasy. Dwight Howard’s shoulder is a concern (at least for me) the rest of the way, while the league is still waiting for whoever kidnapped Steve Nash to return him to L.A. Metta World Peace has been shooting with a blindfold on, while Pau Gasol may or may not be able to return to finish the season. Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison look like must-own players, while Jodie Meeks is a guy to keep a close eye on the rest of the way. The Lakers have four four-game weeks left, but also an annoying two-game week during Week 21, which starts March 18.

Memphis – 4-3-3-4-4-4-4-3-2 = 31

Jerryd Bayless has cooled off but is still worth a look in most leagues, while Tony Allen really turned it on prior to the break. He looks like a really nice pickup right now, especially with the Grizzlies’ strong schedule. After the next three weeks, the Grizz have four four-game weeks in a row, which could mean a perfect playoff schedule in your league. Austin Daye is worth watching the rest of the way, but Tayshaun Prince should keep the starting small forward job the rest of the way. He’s not exactly a must-own player, averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 boards and 3.2 assists over his last five games, despite shooting a solid 46 percent.

Miami – 4-3-4-4-4-4-3-4-2 = 32

LeBron James’ owners, when taking a break from debating whether he’s better than Michael Jordan, are getting ready to celebrate as the Heat play four games per in six of the next eight weeks. That makes Mario Chalmers and Ray Allen worth a look in some head-to-head leagues, but as usual, the only must-own players in Miami are Bron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Hornets schedule isn’t great, nor is it bad. Eric Gordon is a shutdown candidate and Austin Rivers might be worth grabbing if he is shut down. Roger Mason will also be worth a look in that scenario. Al-Farouq Aminu is hot again and might be available in your league if you need boards. Anthony Davis continues to see fewer minutes than Ryan Anderson, but there’s still a chance the Hornets will turn him loose as the season winds down. Robin Lopez is an interesting center and was playing very well entering the break, while Greivis Vasquez and Ryan Anderson remain must-owns in New Orleans.

The Sixers have a pretty good playoff schedule and Nick Young is a player I think should be owned in all leagues. Thaddeus Young isn’t due back for at least a couple more weeks with a hamstring injury, and Lavoy Allen has been worth using in some leagues, but was really quiet in the week before the break. Spencer Hawes has entered must-own territory, especially since it sounds like Andrew Bynum may not play in a single game this season. Dorell Wright is another guy to keep an eye on down the stretch, but is still sitting on the bench in favor of Young and Evan Turner.

The Jazz have two games in the last week of many playoff leagues, but do go 4-4-4 prior to that. Mo Williams might be worth stashing as it sounds like he could return sooner than later from a thumb injury, while Randy Foye, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson look like must-own players right now. And Derrick Favors should be held in all leagues until we see what happens at the trade deadline. Enes Kanter is another guy who might be worth stashing if the Jazz trade a big man or two. Gordon Hayward has been out for a few weeks with a shoulder injury, but sounds like he could be nearing a return. Hold and start him at your own risk. Alec Burks has also shown some flashes of brilliance, so keep a close eye on him as well.

There are only nine weeks left in the NBA season, with the final week being a short one, when teams play just once or twice.

The Timberwolves and Knicks lead the way with 32 games the rest of the way, while the Hawks, Grizzlies, Bucks, Sixers and Wizards all have 31 games left on the season.

The Clippers have the fewest remaining games with 26, while the Rockets have 27 left, and the Nuggets, Pistons, Lakers, Kings, Spurs and Jazz have 28 games left.

The Blazers have 29 games remaining and are the only team that still has a five-game week on the schedule. The Hawks, Celtics, Bulls, Pistons, Clippers (2), Lakers, Magic, Blazers, Kings, Spurs and Jazz (2) all have two-game week left, outside of the final Week 25. The Rockets have three-game weeks for the next six straight.

The Hawks, Celtics, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks and Wizards appear to have the best playoff schedules, while the Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Thunder, Magic, Suns, Kings, Spurs and Raptors all appear to have the worst playoff schedules around. Trading Kevin Durant to get LeBron James, or Stephen Curry for Carmelo Anthony could end up really working out in your favor in H2H playoff leagues.

Take a look at your league’s playoff schedule if you play head-to-head, and try to make moves that will give you the maximum number of games played throughout your league’s playoffs.

The Daily Dose will return on Tuesday morning after the All-Star break.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2014-15 NBA season marks his 13th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander